China's Tale of Two Cities: Beijing & Shanghai
A 10-Day Journey Through Coastal Splendors and Cultural Heritage
Day 1: Arrival in Xiamen - Gateway to Coastal Fujian
Arrival & Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street Exploration
Arrive in Xiamen, the beautiful coastal city in Southeast China, where you'll be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a leisurely walk at Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street on your own - the busiest street in Xiamen featuring diverse architectural styles and hundreds of department stores, restaurants, and theaters showcasing this bustling maritime city.
Meals: No meal
Accommodation: In Xiamen
Day 2: Xiamen Island Discovery
Gulangyu Island, South Putuo Temple & Xiamen University
After breakfast, embark on a full-day city tour starting with Gulangyu Island, the must-visit gem of Xiamen. This charming island offers amazing coastal views and unique architecture. Continue to South Putuo Temple, backed by exquisite peaks and adjacent to the prestigious Xiamen University. Explore the university's scenic spots including Lotus Lake and Lover Valley Reservoir, followed by a visit to historic Hulishan Fort after lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xiamen
Day 3: Hakka Cultural Immersion
Yongding Hakka Tulou & Yunshuiyao Ancient Town
Check out and travel to Zhangzhou, renowned for its well-preserved Hakka Tulou buildings. Visit the magnificent Hakka Tulou in Yongding County, the iconic symbol of Fujian Province. Explore the Chuxi Earthen Buildings Cluster featuring three massive round buildings and one square building, followed by the Hongkeng Earthen Buildings with the highest concentration of these architectural marvels. Continue to Yunshuiyao Old Town, famous for its appearance in the award-winning Chinese movie "Yun Shui Yao," which tells a love story from 1960s China.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: At Yunshuiyao
Day 4: Tea Capital Experience
Anxi Tea Making & Journey to Quanzhou
Bid farewell to Yunshuiyao Old Town and travel to Anxi County - China's 'tea capital.' Anxi is famous for Tieguanyin tea, considered the best Oolong tea in China. Visit an exclusive tea farm to learn about the tea-making process and try making Tieguanyin tea with your own hands. Continue to Quanzhou City, where after hotel check-in, you can explore West Street in the late afternoon, hunting for delicious local Quanzhou cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Quanzhou
Day 5: Maritime Silk Road Heritage
Quanzhou's Cultural Treasures & Fishing Village Life
Explore Quanzhou, the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. Visit the Quanzhou Overseas Transportation History Museum to learn about the city's glorious ocean culture. Continue to Kaiyuan Temple and Qingjing Mosque, witnessing the cultural exchange between China and other Asian countries. Discover Xunpu Fishing Village, believed to be a starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road to Africa, where you'll appreciate oyster shell houses and Xunpu women's elaborate hairdos. Conclude at Luoyang Bridge, China's earliest stone bridge built in a seaport that stimulated Maritime Silk Road trade.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Quanzhou
Day 6: Coastal Traditions & Ancient Towns
Chongwu Ancient Town & Hui'an Women's Culture
Check out and visit Chongwu Ancient Town, China's most intact seaside granite town. Explore Hui'an Dazha Fishing Village, home to the famous Hui'an women known for their unique clothing featuring "short jackets leaving the navel uncovered," bright yellow bamboo hats, and distinctive square scarfs. Experience their traditional culture firsthand with an opportunity to wear their traditional clothes and take photographs. Drive to Putian for overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Putian
Day 7: Island Sanctuary & Spiritual Sites
Meizhou Island & Mazu Pilgrimage
Travel to Wenjia Pier and take a 15-minute ferry to Meizhou Island, known for clean sea water, beautiful scenery, beaches, and wondrous stones, earning it the title "Mecca of the East." Visit the world's largest Mazu Palace Complex including Holy Will's Gate, Prince Hall, Tianhou Temple, Chaotian Pavilion, and Ascension Tower, plus Mazu Park featuring Mazu's Stone Statue. Return to Putian by ferry and visit Guanghua Temple at Nanshan, one of Fujian's most famous temples.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Putian
Day 8: Martial Arts Heritage & Island Transition
South Shaolin Temple & Pingtan Island Arrival
Check out and visit South Shaolin Temple, the earliest branch temple of northern Shaolin in the south and birthplace of Southern Boxing (Nanquan). Explore Houhuang Village, known as "Nanyang style, dream hometown," featuring century-old overseas Chinese residences influenced by South Pacific architecture and foreign religions. This nationally recognized beautiful village offers attractions including Zhiqiu Lake, Nostalgia Square, Theater Pavilion, Simu Well, and North Watchtower. Continue to Pingtan (Landao Island), a municipal county of Fuzhou consisting of 126 islands.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Pingtan
Day 9: Coastal Wonders & Traditional Villages
Pingtan Exploration & Return to Fuzhou
Discover Pingtan County starting with Tannan Bay in the southeast, enjoying wonderful sea views. Visit Houyan Island, the closest mainland point to Taiwan (68 nautical miles), known for its beautiful sea, reefs, lighthouse, and sunsets. Explore Haitan Old Town, drive along Huandao Road, and visit Beigang Village founded in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. This traditional village features complete stone architectural style with 241 stone houses, backed by Junshan Mountain and facing the sea with original natural scenery resources. Return to Fuzhou for overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Fuzhou
Day 10: Fuzhou Departure
Farewell to Fujian
Enjoy free time before transferring to the airport for your departure flight. You may explore commercial areas to purchase souvenirs for family and friends.
Meals: Breakfast
Service ends